Ceiling support for pendent electric fixtures and the like



June 26, 1962 J. A. PASCUCCI CEILING SUPPORTIL FOR PENDENT ELECTRIC FIXTURES AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27, 1959 INVENTOR JZ/L /0 P480 June 26, 1962 J. A. PASCUCCI 3,041,035

CEILING SUPPORT FOR PENDENT ELECTRIC FIXTURES AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 27, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 3 INVENTOR Jam P4scz/cc ate This invention relates to ceiling supports for electric light fixtures and other similar devices and more specifically concerns a novel and improved support for a fixture supporting stem and ceiling mount that affords wide angular movement of the stern relative to the supporting members and at the same time greatly facilitates installation and removal of the fixture from its supported position.

Supporting devices for pendant fixtures such as fluorescent and incandescent lighting devices have become increasingly important through the past year by reason of the greatly increased use of electric illumination both in the home and in commercial structures. With the increased lighting efficiencies alforded by fluorescent lamps increased numbers of fixtures have been used to provide more evenly distributed lighting throughout working and living areas, with the result that installation problems have become increasingly important.

This invention has as one of its advantages the provision of an improved hanger that may be easily and quickly installed with one element being secured to the ceiling and a second element cooperating therewith and carrying the fixture being quickly and easily coupled to the ceiling-secured element without the need of tools or other equipment to effect the interconnection.

Another object of the invention resides in a novel and improved device for supporting electric fixtures that is characterized by its simplicity, ease of installation and relatively low cost.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a highly versatile fixture hanger which is easily assembled, greatly simplifies the hanging of fixtures to be supported thereby and forms a dependable, secure hanger that will not become accidentally disconnected because of vibration or other causes.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application.

' In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an elongated electric lighting fixture supported by hangers in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a hanger in accordance with the invention and with portions thereof in section to illustrate the arrangement and coordination of certain of the elements thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fixture supporting elements shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view of FIGURE 2 taken. along the line 4-4 thereof with one of the elements shown in dotted outline prior to its attachment to the second element and in the full line connected position;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view of FIGURE 4 taken along the line 5-5 thereof; and

FIGURES 6 and 7 are perspective views of modified brackets in accordance with the invention.

The fixture supporting device in accordance with the invention provides means for the attachment of a fixture stem to a ceiling support which includes cooperating elements to facilitate installation and removal of the fixture to be supported and at the same time afiords support for the stem while permitting the stem to be moved angularly relative to the ceiling.

3,041,035 Patented June 26, 1962 FIGURE 1 shows a fixture 10 supported by a pair of hangers 11 in accordance with the invention. The hangers embody quick connect and disconnect features and at the same time permit the stems 12 to be freely rotated relative to the fixture attachments 13 for the purpose of levelling the fixture 10.

FIGURES 2 to 5 illustrate one embodiment of a hanger in accordance with the invention and it comprises a bracket 14 for attachment to a ceiling support such as an outlet box, ceiling beams or the like, a fixture supporting stem 15, a connector element 16 for coupling the stem to the bracket 14 and a surrounding canopy 17 to enclose at least part of the coupler 16 and the bracket 14. More specifically, and as will be observed more clearly in FIG- URE 3, the bracket 14 is of generally U-shaped configuration having a bottom 18, side walls 19 and 20 and outwardly extending flanges 21 and 22. The flanges are provided with suitable openings 23 for attachment to an outlet box or other ceiling member and the bottom 18 and side wall 20 are provided with cutout portions 18 and 20' for the reception of the coupler 16. The cutout portion 18 in the bottom 18 of the bracket is in the form of an elongated recess having substantially parallel side walls 24 and at least semicircular recessed portions 25 formed in the side walls 24 and at points generally midway between the bracket legs 19 and 20. While the inner end 26 of the recess has a curved formation of a radius generally corresponding to the radius of the coupler 16, it is apparent that it may take any desired configuration. It is desirable, however, that the end wall 26 be arranged to engage and limit the inward movement of the coupler 16 when it is engaged with the bracket 14 so that a diameter of the coupler 16 will automatically be aligned with the recessed portions 25, since this will facilitate proper engagement of the cooperating elements as will be described. The outer portions of the side walls 24 are sloped outwardly at 24' to facilitate engagement of the coupler 16 and the leg 20 of the bracket 14 includes a stepped cutout generally denoted by the numeral 20 to provide clearance for the portion of the coupler 16 extending above the wall 14 when the coupler is inserted in the opening 18 formed in the bottom 18, as described above.

The coupler 16 comprises a generally cylindrical member 16 having arcuate cutouts 28 diagonally disposed one reletive to the other and having arcuate lengths consistent with the diameter of the body 16' and the distance between the walls 24 of the opening 18. It will be seen that if the slots 28 are of excessive angular width, the member 16, when moved into engagement with the edges 24 of the opening 18, will have excessive angular motion relative to the bracket 14.

FIGURE 4 illustrates this condition wherein it will be observed that should the angular slots 28 be formed with excessive width, the remaining body material disposed between the ends of the slots 28 will be decreased to such a degree that excessive angular movement will obtain between the body 16' and the bracket 14, which movement may result in accidental disengagement of the connected elements.

The bottom end of the cylindrical body 16' is formed with an inwardly swaged flange portion 29 which provides a reduced bottom opening 30. A cup-shaped Washer 31 having a central opening 32 materially smaller than the opening and an outer diameter materially greater than the opening 30 is positioned loosely against the edge of the flange 29. In this way the Washer is free to move universally relative to the body 16' of the connector 16.

The fixture supporting stem 15 has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening 32 in the washer 31 and an outwardly formed flange 33 which engages the edge of the opening 32 in the washer when the stem is positioned therein, as illustrated, for instance, in FIG- URES 2 to 5. With the construction thus far described, it is evident that the stem 15 can be moved angularlyl relative to the body 16' of the coupler 1 6. While the stem 15 is movable relative to the coupler is the stem is held in engagement with the coupler by means of the spring generally denoted by the numeral 34.

The spring 34 has a central coil 35 of a diameter considerably smaller than the internal diameter of the body 16' and preferably an outside diameter of the order of the outside diameter of the flange 33 on the stem 15. The ends of the spring coil 35 extend outwardly in generally opposite directions, as indicated at 36 and 37. The end 36 is then bent upwardly and outwardly in the form of the V, as indicated at 38 with the V extending through a slot 39 in the body 16' of the coupler. The upper end 39 of the spring extends to a point in the vicinity of the top edge 40 of the coupler and lies close against the internal coupler wall. The opposing end 37 of the spring has a similar configuration in that it extends upwardly as shown at 41 and includes an outwardly formed V- shaped portion 42 which extends through the slot 43 in the coupler body 16' and then continues as denoted by the numeral 41' upwardly along the internal wall of the coupler to a point spaced from the upper edge thereof. With this construction the V-shaped portions 38 and 42 of the spring retain the spring within the coupler and prevent disengagement of the stem 15 and Washer 31 from the coupler body 16'. In addition to the foregoing structure the coupler body 16' also includes a threaded lower portion 44 for threadably receiving a nut 45 to hold the canopy 17 in position on the coupler, as illustrated generally in FIGURE 2.

With the hanger as described above, the coupler 16 is moved into engagement with the bracket 14 by first aligning the coupler relative to the bracket as shown in dotted outline in FIGURE 4 and with the upper ends 39' and 41' of the spring 34 disposed in the plane generally parallel to the leg 29 of the bracket 14. The coupler is then moved inwardly so that the side walls 24 of the slot 18 engage the cutouts 28 in the coupler 16. The inclined wall portions 24' of the cutout 18' facilitate this engagement. The coupler 16 is then moved inwardly until the upwardly extending end portions 39' and 41 of the spring engage the slots 25 in the side walls of the opening 18. By properly fixing the depth of the slot 18' the end wall 26 will limit inward movement of the coupler 16 and the slidable engagement of the side walls 24 with the ends of the slots 28 will maintain the coupler in proper alignment with the bracket 14 so that engagement of the spring ends 39' and 41 will be automatic once the coupler is placed in the proper position. After the coupler has been installed it cannot be removed from engagement with the bracket 14 unless and until spring ends 39' and 41' are moved out of engagement with the slots 25 by depressing the v-shaped portions 38 and 42 of the spring. When this is done the coupler can be moved readily from its engaged position on the bracket 14.

From the above it is evident that the installation of a fixture by means of this novel and improved support is greatly facilitated, since the bracket 14 can be independently secured to the ceiling with the coupler detached therefrom. When the bracket 14 is in place, the stem 15 may be secured to a fixture and with the nut 45 removed from engagement with the coupler 16 and the canopy 17 in a lower position on the stem, the coupler with the fixture supported thereby may be readily moved into engagement with the bracket 14. In this connection it will be observed that the lower cutout portion in the wall will accommodate the top section of the coupler 16 while the narrowed portionof the cutout 20' will accommodate any wiring that may extend from the fixture upwardly through the tube 15 and coupler 16. Thus it is seen that tedious coupling problems are completely avoided in the installation of the fixture and the stem 15 and coupler 16 can be secured to the fixture before the latter is raised into its operating position.

In order to adjust the height of the fixture relative to the stern any suitable means such as the threaded attachment assembly 13 may be employed. In the instant illustration an elongated bushing 47 having internal threads 48 and external threads 49 is secured to the fixture '10 by means of an integral shoulder portion 50 and a coopcrating nut 511' in engagement with the outer threads 49. The lower end of the stem 15 is threaded as indicated at 51 and is engaged with the threads 48 on the side of the bushing 47. Since the stem 15 can rotate relative to the coupler 16, rotation of the stem relative to the fixture 10 and tubular attachment 47 will effect adjustment in the distance of the fixture from the ceiling.

A modified form of invention is illustrated in FIG- URE 6. This modification resides primarily in the bracket 14 and the modified bracket of FIGURE 6 is denoted by the numeral 14'. In this embodiment elements corresponding to the elements of the bracket shown, for instance, in FIGURE 3, have been denoted by like numerals. The bracket 14 differs from the bracket 14 in that the leg 211 is somewhat longer than the leg 20 of the bracket 14 and includes an inwardly formed flange 52 having a central threaded opening 53 for attachment of the bracket to a threaded pipe or stud support. In all other respects the bracket functions in the same manner as the bracket 14 shown in FIGURES 2 to 5. The bracket shown in FIGURE 7 is essentially the same as the bracket shown in FIGURE 6, except that the bracket portions 19 and 21 are omitted and the cutout portion in the leg 18 is reversed.

While only certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is understood that modifications, alterations and changes may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hanger for electric fixtures and similar devices comprising a hanger bracket for attachment to a supporting member and having a recess therein with at least part of the side edges of the recess being parallel one to the other and opening into one edge of said bracket, a tubular coupler member having a pair of oppositely positioned slots formed therein adjoining one end thereof, said slots having depths and widths to sl-idably receive the parallel edges of said recess, an inwardly formed flange on the other end of said coupler and adapted to receive a flared fixture-carrying stem, an annular spring member within said coupler and having a pair of legs extending outwardly and upwardly along the inner surface of said coupler, said legs terminating at points beyond said slots, cutout portions in the coupler wall with each cutout disposed below and in alignment with one of said slots, means on said spring legs extending outwardly through said cutout portions and indents on the side edges of said recess to receive and engage the spring legs when the coupler is moved into engagement with the bracket.

2. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein said coupler includes external threads and said hanger further includes a canopy having a central coupler receiving opening and at least one nut for securing the canopy to the coupler.

3. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein said bracket is of U-shaped configuration with a transverse member and two upwardly extending legs, and said recess is formed in said transverse member and opens into an edge of said member carrying one of said legs, the last said leg having a cutout therein to permit the coupler to be moved into engagement with the recess.

4. A hanger for electric fixtures and similar devices comprising a hanger bracket havin a flat, plate-like member and means securing said member to a ceiling support and in spaced relation to said ceiling, said bracket having a relatively deep recess formed in one edge thereof with at least part of the side edges of said recess being parallel, a tubular coupler member having a pair of oppositely positioned slots formed therein adjoining one end thereof, said slots having depths and widths to slidably receive the parallel edges of said recess, an inwardly formed flange on the other end of said coupler and adapted to receive a flared fixture-carrying stem, and spring means carried by said tubular coupler, said spring means engaging said parallel side edges to hold the coupler in engagement with the bracket.

5. A hanger according to claim 4 wherein the side edges of the recess include indents for engagement of said spring means.

6. A hanger for electric fixtures and similar devices comprising a hanger bracket having a fiat, plate-like member and means securing said member to a ceiling support and in spaced relation to said ceiling, said bracket having a relatively deep recess formed in one edge thereof with at least part of the side edges of said recess being parallel, a tubular coupler member having a pair of oppositely positioned slots formed therein adjoining one end thereof, said slots having depths and widths to slidably receive the parallel edges of said recess, an inwardly formed flange on the other end of said coupler and adapted to receive a flared fixture-carrying stem, an annular spring member within said coupler and having a pair of legs extending outwardly and upwardly along the inner surface of said coupler, said legs terminating at points beyond said slots, cut-out portions in the coupler wall with each cut-out disposed below and in alignment with one of said slots, means on said spring legs extending outwardly through said cutout portions and indents on the side edges of said recess to receive and engage the spring legs when the coupler is moved into engagement with the bracket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 943,299 Corson Dec. 14, 1909 971,943 Wakefield Oct. 4, 1910 2,545,307 Pretzer Mar. 13, 1951 20 2,867,404 Ramsing Jan. 6, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 904,789 Germany Feb. 22, 1954 

